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American Lifeguard Association Highlights Critical Summer Water Safety Tips

As families across the United States head to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches this summer, the American Lifeguard Association (ALA) is encouraging everyone to review essential water safety practices before entering the water.

A newly published article by Everyday Health, “11 Swimming Safety Tips to Follow This Summer,” features extensive guidance from Bernard J. Fisher II, Director of Health and Safety for the American Lifeguard Association. The article reinforces many of the proven drowning-prevention strategies promoted by the ALA for decades.

Read the full Everyday Health article here:

11 Swimming Safety Tips to Follow This Summer

Experts share their advice for staying safe at the beach and pool. Check it out to keep yourself and your family out of harm’s way.

Approximately 4,000 people die from drowning each year in the United States, while thousands more are treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal drowning injuries. Young children remain among those at greatest risk. However, the American Lifeguard Association emphasizes that most drowning incidents are preventable when families follow basic safety practices and maintain proper supervision.

“Drownings are preventable, and active supervision is one of the most important rules of water safety,” said Bernard J. Fisher II. “Parents and caregivers must remain attentive whenever children are in or near the water.”

The ALA reminds families that the presence of a lifeguard does not remove the responsibility of parents, guardians, or other supervising adults.

“A lifeguard is not a babysitter,” Fisher said. “Lifeguards are responsible for monitoring an entire aquatic area and responding to emergencies. Parents and caregivers must continue to closely supervise their own children, even when a trained lifeguard is present.”

The strongest layers of drowning prevention include active adult supervision, swimming where lifeguards are on duty, never swimming alone, learning to swim at the earliest appropriate age, and using properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary.

Before visiting a pool, beach, or lake, families should confirm whether lifeguards will be present and review any posted warnings or swimming restrictions.

“Choosing a guarded swimming location is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce risk,” Fisher explained. “However, supervision must remain constant. Adults should never assume that someone else is watching.”

The ALA recommends assigning a dedicated “Water Watcher” whenever children or inexperienced swimmers are in or near the water.

“A Water Watcher has one job: watch the swimmers,” Fisher said. “That means no phone, no alcohol, no side conversations, and no distractions until another responsible adult officially takes over.”

For young children and weak swimmers, supervision means remaining within arm’s reach—not watching from across the pool, from a lounge chair, or through a window.

The ALA also warns families not to rely on water wings, pool noodles, inflatable toys, or other recreational flotation products as drowning-prevention devices. These products can fail, float away, or create a false sense of security.

At beaches, swimmers should also understand the danger of rip currents.

“Rip currents do not pull swimmers underwater—they pull them away from shore,” Fisher said. “Stay calm, signal for help, conserve energy, and swim parallel to the shoreline until you are outside the current.”

The American Lifeguard Association continues to promote water safety education, professional lifeguard training, swimming instruction, and public awareness to reduce preventable drownings nationwide.

“Lifeguards provide an essential layer of protection, but water safety is a shared responsibility,” Fisher added. “Proper supervision, swimming ability, trained lifeguards, and informed decision-making save lives.”

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Lifeguards wanted! Paying $250/day to help keep pools open until Labor Day!

The American Lifeguard Association has received numerous inquiries nationwide from pool owners and employers asking for help keeping their swimming pools open through Labor Day. They are all offering $250 per day for the last ten days of the season. The candidate will need a current lifeguard certification. If you are interested in applying, we ask that you email us at [email protected] with a copy of your resume and all required certifications. We ask that you do not call us but instead email us the required information so that we may pass it on to the interested employers, so they may contact you directly if they are interested in hiring you. All replies must have a detailed resume and copies of all current certifications to be considered for this program. Candidates must be available to work every day between now and Labor Day with no restrictions on hours. The daily pay of $250 is based on an 8-hour day and will be paid directly by the employer.

If you are certified through the American Lifeguard Association, it will not be necessary to email us a copy of your certification, for we have it on file. If it is with another nationally recognized entity such as the American Red Cross, YMCA, or other entity, we will need you to attach a copy of your current certifications to your resume.

This program is for employers nationwide interested in hiring highly qualified individuals to help staff their pools and connect them with qualified candidates. It is a public service offered to all eligible candidates and employers at no cost.

Swimmers left vulnerable at beaches as lifeguard shortage rocks nation

Beach and pool administrators are scrambling to fill empty lifeguard spots, as swimming areas across the country have been forced to close.

Watch recent news segment: Nightline

@lifeguardbilly @lifeguardproblems @swimsuitsornothing @healthierways

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American Lifeguard Association Praises Heroic Teenage Lifeguard Following Dramatic Santa Cruz Rescue

The American Lifeguard Association is praising the courage, training, and extraordinary composure demonstrated by a teenage lifeguard who rescued a young boy from violent surf at Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz, California. The dramatic rescue and the American Lifeguard Association’s response were featured in a July 29, 2026, Yahoo News article originally published by the San Francisco Chronicle: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/extremely-brave-teenage-lifeguard-rescued-023055998.html

Video of the rescue has captured national attention, showing the 16-year-old lifeguard maintaining a firm grip on the child as powerful waves repeatedly crashed over them. Despite the turbulent conditions, the young rescuer remained composed and continued working methodically toward shore.

Wyatt Werneth, the national spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association, said the teenager’s actions went well beyond what would ordinarily be expected from someone so young, particularly a first-year lifeguard.

“He was above and beyond the standard,” Werneth said. “Out of 100 16-year-olds that we hire a year, I might have one that was up to the measure of this young man.”

According to the American Lifeguard Association, the rescue illustrates why lifeguards must be recognized as highly trained first responders rather than simply teenagers working seasonal summer jobs. Lifeguards are often required to make immediate, life-or-death decisions while confronting strong currents, heavy surf, frightened victims, and rapidly changing environmental conditions.

“If that young man had slipped out of his arms, there would have been a surge, and it would have been a recovery,” Werneth explained. “The lifeguard was that anchor for that survivor.”

The American Lifeguard Association believes the young rescuer’s physical strength was only one element of the successful rescue. His mental steadiness, situational awareness, and ability to remain calm while being struck by repeated waves were equally important.

In an ocean emergency, panic can quickly place both the victim and the rescuer in greater danger. A trained lifeguard must control the victim, protect the person’s airway, monitor the movement of the water, and identify the safest possible route back to shore—all while preserving enough physical energy to complete the rescue.

The United States Lifesaving Association also praised the teenager’s performance. Tom Gill, president of the United States Lifesaving Association, described the young lifeguard as “extremely brave” and noted the tremendous force of the water surrounding him.

Rather than attempting to remain above every wave, the lifeguard intentionally dipped himself and the child beneath portions of the surf. This reduced their exposure to the strongest force of the breaking waves and helped prevent them from being pulled farther into the ocean.

Gill observed that the lifeguard likely would have preferred to secure a flotation device around the child. However, the violent and rapidly moving water made that extremely difficult. Instead, the teenager maintained physical control of the boy and repeatedly worked to keep his airway above the water.

The rescue occurred after conditions at Seabright Beach became turbulent on Saturday afternoon. The child, believed to be approximately 10 years old, was caught in powerful waves before the teenage lifeguard reached him.

The footage was recorded by bystander Scott Vander Dussen, who was reportedly told that the teenager was serving in his first year as a lifeguard. Despite his limited professional experience, the young rescuer displayed a level of courage and determination normally associated with far more experienced water safety professionals.

One concerning element of the incident was the number of bystanders who entered the water in an attempt to assist. The American Lifeguard Association cautions that although such individuals may have the best intentions, entering dangerous surf without proper training or flotation equipment can turn one emergency into a multiple-victim incident.

There are many documented cases in which Good Samaritans have drowned while attempting to rescue someone else. Members of the public should alert professional lifeguards, call emergency services, throw or extend a flotation device when safely possible, and avoid entering hazardous water unless they possess appropriate training and rescue equipment.

Professionally staffed beaches have an exceptionally strong safety record. The chance of drowning at a beach protected by lifeguards has been cited as approximately one in 18 million visits. This record reflects not only emergency rescues but also proactive surveillance, hazard identification, public warnings, preventative actions, and ongoing water safety education.

California State Parks employs approximately 600 seasonal lifeguards each summer, in addition to around 70 permanent lifeguards. According to the agency, its lifeguards perform approximately 10,000 rescues annually. Since July 1 alone, California State Parks lifeguards reportedly have rescued approximately 3,600 swimmers.

The rescue has received attention at the highest levels of government. President Donald Trump announced plans to invite the teenage lifeguard to the White House and present him with a high civilian honor. The president’s son, Eric Trump, publicly described the young rescuer as representing “the best of America.”

The American Lifeguard Association welcomes the national attention being directed toward the lifeguard profession. Lifeguards respond to drownings, spinal injuries, cardiac emergencies, missing children, severe weather incidents, marine hazards, and many other emergencies requiring immediate action.

Despite those responsibilities, lifeguarding is still widely viewed as a temporary summer job rather than a serious public safety profession. Unlike law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services, lifeguarding often offers only a limited long-term career path. As experienced lifeguards grow older and move into other professions, agencies must continually recruit and train new generations of young rescuers.

Werneth expressed hope that the Santa Cruz teenager could become a symbol of the effort to have lifeguards more widely recognized as first responders.

“If this young individual gets in there, and he’s the catalyst that the president wants to recognize, it doesn’t matter who it is,” Werneth said. “Just go. I applaud that.”

The American Lifeguard Association believes this rescue should serve as a national reminder of the importance of professional lifeguard training, proper staffing, and public investment in water safety at community pools and beaches nationwide.

This young lifeguard did more than save a child. His actions brought national attention to the thousands of lifeguards who quietly protect beaches, swimming pools, lakes, waterparks, and waterfront facilities across the United States every day.

His courage deserves recognition, but so does the profession he represents.

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Choosing the Right Swimsuit Color Can Save Lives

A recent article published by the Italian news publication EduNews24 has brought renewed international attention to a simple but important aspect of water safety: the color of a swimmer's swimsuit. Published on June 30, 2026, the article examined testing conducted by Alive Solutions, which evaluated the underwater visibility of 14 different swimsuit colors in both swimming pools and natural bodies of water.

The testing concluded that fluorescent orange, fluorescent yellow, and neon green consistently provided the greatest underwater visibility, while white, light blue, gray, black, and dark blue often blended into the water or pool floor, making swimmers significantly more difficult to detect. The article also referenced the American Lifeguard Association's longstanding recommendations regarding the use of highly visible swimwear as an additional layer of water safety.

The American Lifeguard Association has consistently encouraged swimmers and families to consider visibility when selecting swimwear. While no swimsuit color can prevent a drowning incident, choosing bright, high-visibility colors may help lifeguards, parents, instructors, and other bystanders recognize a swimmer in distress more quickly. In an emergency, every second matters, and improving visual recognition can contribute to a faster rescue response.

Contrary to what is often portrayed in television and movies, drowning is usually silent. Victims rarely have the opportunity to wave or call for help. Instead, they may quietly slip beneath the surface with little warning. When a swimmer is wearing colors that closely resemble the surrounding water or the bottom of a swimming pool, valuable seconds can be lost simply trying to locate them.

The Alive Solutions testing demonstrated that fluorescent orange, yellow, and neon green maintained excellent visibility in a variety of aquatic environments, including pools with both light and dark bottoms as well as lakes with reduced water clarity. Bright pink and fuchsia also performed well in clear swimming pools but became much less visible in murky natural water. Meanwhile, white, light blue, gray, black, and darker shades consistently ranked among the least visible colors under many conditions.

The American Lifeguard Association believes swimsuit color should never be viewed as a substitute for proper water safety practices. Instead, it should be considered one component of a comprehensive drowning prevention strategy. The most effective protection continues to include constant, attentive supervision, learning to swim, properly maintained pool barriers, qualified lifeguards, emergency preparedness, and the appropriate use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when necessary.

The EduNews24 article also cited data from Italy's National Institute of Health showing that approximately 342 people drown annually in Italy, including roughly 41 individuals under the age of 19. The report further noted that nearly half of pediatric drowning incidents occur in swimming pools, reinforcing the importance of continuous supervision regardless of swimming ability or location.

Whether enjoying a neighborhood pool, a community aquatic center, a lake, a river, or the ocean, selecting brightly colored swimwear is an inexpensive decision that may improve visibility when every moment counts. Although no single measure can eliminate the risk of drowning, combining high-visibility swimwear with proven water safety practices creates another valuable layer of protection.

The American Lifeguard Association encourages families, aquatic facilities, swim instructors, camp operators, and waterpark managers to educate swimmers about the importance of swimsuit visibility. Small decisions made before entering the water can have a meaningful impact during an emergency. By combining visible swimwear with vigilant supervision, qualified lifeguards, swimming education, and established safety practices, communities can continue working together to reduce drowning incidents and make aquatic environments safer for swimmers of all ages.

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American Lifeguard Association Highlights Sneaker Wave Dangers During ABC Good Morning America Interview

The American Lifeguard Association (ALA) appeared on ABC's Good Morning America today to discuss one of the most overlooked hazards along our nation's coastlines: sneaker waves. The interview comes at a time when beach attendance is increasing for the summer season and following several recent incidents involving individuals unexpectedly swept into the ocean by these powerful waves.

Sneaker waves are unusually large waves that can surge far beyond the normal shoreline without warning. Unlike rip currents or storm-driven surf, sneaker waves often occur after extended periods of calm water, creating a false sense of security for beachgoers. A beach may appear completely safe for several minutes before a sudden wave rushes up the shoreline, knocking people off their feet and dragging them into deeper water.

The dangers of sneaker waves were highlighted recently when a mother and her daughter were critically injured after being swept into the Pacific Ocean by a sneaker wave at a California beach. Emergency responders noted that the wave struck unexpectedly, pulling the victims far into the water despite seemingly calm conditions moments earlier.

During the interview, the American Lifeguard Association emphasized that one of the greatest risks associated with sneaker waves is their unpredictability. Many victims are not swimming when incidents occur. Instead, they are often walking near the water's edge, standing on rocks, taking photographs, fishing, or simply enjoying the scenery when a powerful wave suddenly arrives.

The ALA reminded viewers that the safest place to enjoy the beach is in areas protected by lifeguards. Statistics consistently demonstrate that the chance of drowning at a beach protected by professional lifeguards is extremely low. Lifeguards are trained to recognize hazardous ocean conditions, monitor changing surf patterns, and respond immediately when emergencies occur.

To reduce the risk of injury from sneaker waves, the American Lifeguard Association recommends several important safety measures:

Never turn your back on the ocean.

Stay well away from rocks, jetties, and steep shorelines.

Keep children within arm's reach near the water.

Observe posted warnings and beach advisories.

Avoid standing on driftwood or large logs that can be moved by incoming waves.

Swim only at beaches protected by lifeguards.

The ALA also stressed the importance of public education. Many visitors from inland communities may be unfamiliar with coastal hazards and may not recognize the warning signs associated with dangerous surf conditions. Increased awareness can help prevent tragedies before they occur.

As millions of Americans head to beaches this summer, the American Lifeguard Association encourages everyone to make water safety a priority. A day at the beach should be enjoyable, but it only takes a single unexpected wave to change lives forever.

Through education, vigilance, and respect for the power of the ocean, beachgoers can significantly reduce their risk and help ensure a safe and memorable summer season for themselves and their families.

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Why Lifeguard Chair Height Still Matters: A Persistent Threat to Pool Safety

Read here: https://americanlifeguardassociation.com/why-lifeguard-chair-height-matters-pool-safety/

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Think Blue Too: Protecting Waterways for Future Generations

The H2O Think Blue Too movement is built around a simple but powerful responsibility: protecting our beaches, waterways, rivers, lakes, and coastal areas so they remain clean, healthy, and beautiful for future generations. For too long, environmental responsibility has often been spoken about as something adults must teach young people. However, today it is increasingly clear that Generation Z has an important role in teaching the older generation about stewardship, accountability, and the urgent need to care for the natural places we all share.

Gen Z has grown up in a world where environmental issues are visible every day. They see plastic bottles washed onto beaches, trash left near rivers, pollution affecting marine life, and careless habits damaging places that should be protected. Because of this, many young people understand that environmental stewardship is not just an idea or a slogan. It is a daily responsibility. It means picking up after ourselves, reducing waste, recycling when possible, respecting wildlife, and understanding that every action near the water can have a lasting impact.

H2O Think Blue Too encourages this message and helps make environmental responsibility part of everyday life. The movement recognizes that young people are often the strongest voices for change because they are the ones who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. Gen Z can remind parents, grandparents, community leaders, businesses, and public officials that keeping beaches and waterways clean is not optional. It is a responsibility owed to the next generation.

At the heart of this movement is the belief that we are all only temporary guests on this earth. The beaches, oceans, rivers, lakes, and waterways have been passed down to us, and it is our responsibility to pass them forward in better condition than we found them. Each generation has a duty to care for the natural world, not simply use it. Leaving the world cleaner, safer, and healthier is one of the greatest gifts we can give to future generations.

The movement’s slogan, “Take It Back Plus,” captures this responsibility in a simple and practical way. It means that when people visit their favorite beach, waterway, river, or lake, they should take back the litter they brought with them — plus one extra piece of trash they find along the way. This simple action, repeated by many people, can create a major impact. It teaches that environmental stewardship does not always require large programs or complicated solutions. Sometimes it begins with one person, one visit, one choice, and one extra piece of trash removed from a place worth protecting.

This does not mean blaming older generations. Instead, it means creating a bridge between generations. Older adults have experience, resources, and influence. Younger people bring energy, awareness, and a strong sense of urgency. When these strengths come together, communities can make real progress. A beach clean-up becomes more than picking up trash. It becomes a lesson in respect. A conversation about plastic waste becomes more than a complaint. It becomes a call to action. A young person reminding an adult not to leave litter behind becomes an example of leadership.

The H2O Think Blue Too movement encourages schools, families, community groups, businesses, and volunteers to work together in protecting aquatic and coastal environments. Through public education, community awareness, clean-up initiatives, and responsible environmental practices, the movement seeks to inspire people of all ages to take responsibility for the places they enjoy.

As temporary guests on this earth, we must remember that beaches and waterways are not ours to use carelessly and leave behind damaged. Gene Z has the opportunity to lead by example and show that stewardship begins with simple choices: leave no trash behind, protect natural areas, respect the water, and teach others to do the same. By standing up for clean beaches and healthy waterways, young people are not only protecting the environment today; they are helping preserve it for their own children, grandchildren, and every generation that follows.

That is the heart of H2O Think Blue Too: education, responsibility, stewardship, “Take It Back Plus,” and a shared commitment to keeping our waterways clean for future generations.